Senate Proposes Bill to Increase Federal Minimum Wage

On March 29, a bill was proposed to increase the federal minimum wage and hour projections to the Senate.

The bill proposes to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to increase the federal minimum wage to $8.10 an hour, currently $7.25, for the first year and followed by a subsequent second increase to $9.80 the second year. The third year the minimum wage would be adjusted to inflation.

The bill would also include an increase to the minimum wage for tip workers to $3.00 an hour, currently $2.13, the first year followed by an increase of $0.85 each additional year until the wage is 70% of the federal minimum wage.

Additionally the bill addresses paid sick days and misclassification of of workers penalties.